5 hygiene habits your child MUST learn

As we make continues efforts to adapt to the new normal ourselves , it is equally important to instil healthy hygiene habits in the little ones. Children are tactile beings as love to grab anything and everything with their tiny hands in a quest to learn more about the world around them.

However, amid the coronavirus outbreak, our cleanliness standards have changed a 180-degree and following new hygiene habits fervently have become the only preventive measures against the novel coronavirus. Even as the scientists and medical experts continue to race against time to find a cure for the highly infectious contagion, we have little to no clue as to when we may go back to handshakes and hugs.

Teach these five essential hygiene habits to your kids

Hence, when it comes to our little ones, it is essential to teach them the basics of hygiene habits which are to be strictly followed, especially in the current circumstances. Remember, you are your child’s first teacher, so if you follow these simple hygiene measures, be rest assured that they will follow the suit.

01/ ​Wash your hands

One of the golden rules of maintaining good health and hygiene remains the same--wash your hands thoroughly and at regular intervals. Teach your child to properly clean his hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, every time it is visibly dirty. You may ask them to recite the happy birthday song twice (from start to finish) to mark the time. Make it a rule to wash their hands before and after eating their meals, after using the toilet and even after they are done playing with their toys outside. Handwashing is non-negotiable.

02/ ​Don’t cough or sneeze in your hands

Teach your little one to cover his mouth either with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing and coughing and discard the tissue properly. Kids can also learn to use the inside of their elbows to cover their face, in case they do not have any tissue. If your child uses his hands, he/she should wash them immediately with clean water and soap. Kids should also know not to share their used handkerchiefs.

03/ ​Wear the mask

The idea of wearing face-covers or face masks may seem daunting to the little one, especially when it is important to wear them for extended periods of time. Remember to choose a mask which fits snugly but also does not feel uncomfortable or suffocating to your little one. To get them to wear the mask, you will have to tell the little one about the invisible bug everybody is fighting. Also, let your child choose a mask of his choice online, sew one from scratch at home or let him decorate existing masks with sparkles and glitters to spike his interest in wearing one.

04/ ​Hands off the face

This one is going to be a little difficult to implement as we tend to touch our face as a subconscious habit--almost like a reflex. Hence, we need to teach our kids why they should not touch their faces. You can start by explaining how our hands accumulate equate germs and bacteria throughout the day, even when we can’t see them. When we touch our face (eyes, nose, mouth) we transfer them to our face.

05/ ​The importance of taking a shower

If your child tends to skip showers often, you may teach him/her how bathing get rids of bacteria and germs we touch throughout the day and how it also helps us feel refreshed and relaxed.

from LifeStyle